Sizzling in Singapore (A Carnal Cuisine Novel) by K.C. Falls, Torri D. Cooke Read Free Book Online Page B

dinner plate.
    The lamb looked mouth watering. Nick knew that was going to be his favorite and a big hit. He had worried that it would be a monotone of brown, but the yellow of the turmeric in the curry sauce brightened the braise considerably. Ringing the shank and sauce propped against the molded Basmati were shiny drops of a brilliant green that added just the right note to the entire look of the plate. "Cilantro oil?" he asked.
    Mae nodded. "I hope you don't mind that I made the addition. The color palette was a little dull."
    "Perfect touch. I was concerned about the color issue on that plate. Cilantro is the natural choice." Nick found nothing to criticize in the plating and began to methodically taste a tiny portion of each dish.
    "Personally, I'd like much more chili in the prawns. I suggest you offer the customer a choice of heats or provide some extra sauce with the serving, on the side."
    "Yes, Chef Nick," Tank answered. He was on sauté and that included the wok so the prawns were his responsibility.
    "I know that you don't want to serve the ragout as mush, but I do think that a few of those baby vegetables could use a minute or two more."
    The expeditor, Jonesie, would put this plate together. "It'll go under the salamander for a couple of minutes, Chef Nick. I'm hoping that will bring them up to al dente."
    "Very well," Nick allowed, " But check the first orders and make sure. It isn't pork adobo with salad' "
    "Yes, Chef."
    "Okay, then. Good job everyone. Let's get the wait-staff briefed and I think we're good to go." And with that Nick gave them all a postcard perfect smile and headed straight back up to his office.
     
    ***
     
    That's it? That's all? Wow. Don't give up too much effort there, Nick. I mean it's grand that you find our work so perfectly executed, but surely there's something more you could say . Without knowing why, Mae found herself actually miffed that the man didn't have more criticism to levy. His casual attitude struck a nerve just as she was beginning to grant him some grudging respect.
    Mae had no idea what arrangements the Elysium management had made with Nick Seville, but it obviously wasn't anything important enough to warrant his serious attention. Grateful as she was to have the paperwork monkey off her back, she still felt that a chef, even an executive chef, should spend at least a portion of his time and energy actually cooking. Kurt always found reason to come and interfere, as they used to joke, but it was part of staying in touch with the actual food, real people and paying customers that made Kurt such a good leader. This guy is nothing more than a paper-pusher with a good food imagination. Come back Kurt, come back!
    Around eight o'clock the kitchen was rockin'and rollin' It had turned into a very busy Thursday night. Typically, the hotel attracted pretty equal numbers of tourists and business travelers so weekdays and weekends were both just as likely to be busy. Mae was helping ready a ten-top for pick-up when she saw Nick make his way down the steps, coat slung over his shoulder. Without so much as a glance at what was happening in the kitchen, he loped out the back door.
    If anyone else on the line noticed, they didn't comment. But now the slow burn that started with his nonchalant performance earlier in the afternoon started to ignite into a full-fledged fury. Mae couldn't believe he didn't have the courtesy to ask how it was going or even say goodnight. This is obviously someone who knows his way around food but where's the passion? Maybe I can chalk the other night up to another passionless talent of his. What a waste. All the talent in the world doesn't light a fire. He's like a paint by number artist—or lover.
    She didn't have any more time to ruminate over Nick's talent, or his apparent lack of passion to match it. The kitchen started to get slammed with an unusual number of big tables. She danced between stations intuiting what she could do or bring that would